CITRUS FRUIT M-P

Similar in colour and has the resemblance of an orange the fruit looks as though it has been sqeezed top and bottom so it is not quite a sphere, and grows on a smallish tree that can be tolerant to drought although the fruit will not look “happy”, mandarins can be grown in tropical or sub-tropical areas and if available in a garden centrenear you a dwarf species for conservatories.

Being of the citrus variety they are normally self fertile and only require our little flying friends to distibute the pollen. Reddish orange mandarins a sold as tangerines, and yet another name for the mandarin, yet I am given to understand from another source, that mandarins and satsumas are varirties of the tangerine, (confused? I tend to look for a good looking fruit, and if it is juicy with a good flavour I’m happy by whatever name it is called, see also MIKAN).

MIKAN.

The word mikan, in Japanese is a general term for citrus, usually a seedless but sweet fruit being easily peeled as opposed to other citrus fruit, and we are enlightened as to the different names used for similar fruit, for it is called MIKAN in Japan, SATSUMA in the U.K., CLEMENTINE or TANGERINE in Canada and the U.S.A. ( now we have solved the name problem, I just have to remember which country I am in to call it by its right name).

ORANGE.

Oranges are best grown in a glass house or orangery, although there are the smaller dwarf varieties which are designed for growing on the patio or in the conservatory (but not all varieties are available in a dwarf form).

Oranges are of two categories either bitter or sweet, the PERSIAN orange was introduced into Italy in the 11th century and was used initially by sailors to prevent scurvy, this orange (or SEVILLE) is now

used in the production of marmalade as they are not palatable for eating, whilst the sweet orange can be eaten raw, added as flavouring to sweet or savoury dishes, and were brought from INDIA by the Portugese traders in the 15th century, it is also grown in different varieties, some without pips. The original orange seems to have travelled well, as Christopher Columbus, in 1493 took the seeds of both oranges and lemons as well as citrons to Haiti and the Carribean, then introduced into Florida by Juan Ponce de Lion, a Spanish explorer in 1513, and was then taken to Hawii in 1792.

BLOOD ORANGE.

Whilst having the orange peel, may have red streaks in the fruit but has a colourful deep red flesh, full of juice and flavour. ( and the colour stains !!)

NAVEL ORANGE.

The NAVEL appears to derive its name due to the twin fruit it produces at the base and from the outside rather resembles the human navel. Usually pipless, the navel orange tends to be more larger than other sweet oranges.

PERSIAN ORANGE or SEVILLE.

As mentioned above not really a good choice for eating (being bitter) but much used in the production of marmalade.

POMELO.

What is a Pomelo you ask yourself, native to Malaysia and sotheastern Asia it grows wild on the river banks in Tonga and Fiji. also called a Shaddock after captain Shaddock, an English sailor, who, in the 17th century introduced the seed to the West Indies from the Malay Archipelago, also called a Jabong in Asia and the Pacific, it is known as Youzi by the Chinese, confused yet?. It is the largest of the citrus fruit, growing as large as 30 cm. and weighing up to 10kg. The fruit is juicy and sweet with a mild grapefriut taste, with a colour from pale yellow to a pink or even red, and a thick peel, yet another fruit used in the making of marmalade. Yes it can be eaten for breakfast but like the grapefruit may need a little sweetening.

PONKAN.

(What on earth is that?) Whilst it is Japanese in origin, it was introduced by Robert Pitman Senior of Florida, to the U.S.A. in the earlier part of the 1900s. The trees bear, every other year, very sweet fruit. so for those of you have never seen one ask your local supermarket if they import them.

You may have noticed the origin and countries that have “devoloped” some of the fruit are in the sunny belt of the world, which means a hot or tropical heat is needed for the produce of these fruit so please do not be disappointed if there are no growers/stockists near you, for once again the wisdom of the horticulturalists is to the fore. all I am showing is an idea of various (mouth watering) fruit that is available around the world. Eat healthy,